ARTIST STATEMENT
“At a time when the United States is increasingly divided, the importance of understanding the fabric of the country is paramount. “Reaching for the Steal” retraces our steps to figure out how we got here, looking into our past for the common threads. From fur traders to the gold rush, the expansion of the nation has been inextricably linked to the ‘take it by force’ style of entrepreneurialism. In current times, this mentality has set a tone for our culture, from the richest CEOs to small time criminals. Perhaps this notion that unifies us -- that ownership can be obtained by nearly any means necessary -- is not exclusive to America. It is more likely a global and timeless phenomenon that permeates nature, beyond humankind, as a basic principle of life and survival. We regard the survivalist quality in nature without remorse or judgment. Dark as it may be, in this context, it might be possible to let go of our preconceptions and divisions, and focus our attention on what bonds us together.” --DISTORT
BIOGRAPHY
Combining classical training with the intense creative energy of graffiti, DISTORT has impacted the streets and galleries alike. Now living in Jersey City, DISTORT earned a BFA from the University of Pennsylvania and a Certificate in Painting from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Following this period, DISTORT developed a body of work combining sculptural installation and painting. In 2016, he presented these now-iconic “scrolls” and “shields” in a solo exhibition at the Works on Paper Gallery in Philadelphia. DISTORT has exhibited extensively in the Tristate Area and completed murals in Miami, Istanbul, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York, as well as locations across North Jersey. His project, located just outside of the Holland Tunnel, is one of the largest murals by a single artist in New Jersey. DISTORT continues to create challenging work inspired by his admiration of classicism and the intensity of the present.
